Jonathan Feigen’s NBA Mock Draft 3.0

The NBA draft is tonight and the Rockets have the 25th overall selection in the first round (42nd pick in the second round). Beat writer Jonathan Feigen takes one final stab at predicting all 30 first-round selections.

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<center><b>1. Cleveland -- Andrew Wiggins, 6-8, SF, Kansas<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Wiggins was long expected to be the first player taken and likely will be. There remains a chance, however, that it won’t be by the Cavaliers. less

<center><b>1. Cleveland -- Andrew Wiggins, 6-8, SF, Kansas<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Wiggins was long expected to be the first player taken and likely will be. There remains a chance, however, that it ... more

Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

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<center><b>2. Milwaukee – Jabari Parker, 6-8, PF, Duke<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>If Wiggins goes first, Parker – a reliable safe-pick scorer that wants to play in Milwaukee – is the no-brainer pick of the draft. less

<center><b>3. Philadelphia – Dante Exum, 6-6, G, Australian Institute of Sport<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Sixers would strongly consider gambling on Joel Embiid, but Brett Brown, knows Exum’s game as well as anyone and Sam Hinkie would get the upside he would want. less

<center><b>4. Orlando – Joel Embiid, 7-0, C, Kansas<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Magic would likely think it’s time to start winning, rather than invest long term, but Embiid’s potential could be worth the wait. less

<center><b>4. Orlando – Joel Embiid, 7-0, C, Kansas<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Magic would likely think it’s time to start winning, rather than invest long term, but Embiid’s potential could be ... more

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

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<center><b>5. Utah – Noah Vonleh, 6-9, F, Indiana<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Jazz might not have gone into the draft looking for another young power forward, but Vonleh has been one of the top risers in the process and could go this high. less

<center><b>5. Utah – Noah Vonleh, 6-9, F, Indiana<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Jazz might not have gone into the draft looking for another young power forward, but Vonleh has been one of the top ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson / Getty Images

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<center><b>6. Boston – Aaron Gordon, 6-9, F, Arizona<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>If Embiid slips this far, Danny Ainge would gamble and, if not, could weigh trade options, but Gordon would be good return on a poor season. less

<center><b>7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle, 6-9, F, Kentucky<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Lakers have potential to surprise and could even consider Elfrid Payton, but Randle would step in and help quickly. less

<center><b>7. Los Angeles Lakers – Julius Randle, 6-9, F, Kentucky<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Lakers have potential to surprise and could even consider Elfrid Payton, but Randle would step in and ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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<center><b>8. Sacramento – Marcus Smart, 6-5, G, Oklahoma State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Kings could use an upgrade at point, especially with Isaiah Thomas a free agent and better suited to come off the bench. Smart fits nicely. less

<center><b>9. Charlotte – Doug McDermott, 6-8, F, Creighton<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>McDermott has been impressive throughout the workouts and would bring Charlotte the perimeter shooting it desperately needs. less

<center><b>9. Charlotte – Doug McDermott, 6-8, F, Creighton<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>McDermott has been impressive throughout the workouts and would bring Charlotte the perimeter shooting it ... more

Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

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<center><b>10. Philadelphia – Nik Stauskas, 6-7, G, Michigan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Sixers could opt for a more long-term project such as Dario Saric, but Stauskas’ shooting moved him up the board. less

<center><b>10. Philadelphia – Nik Stauskas, 6-7, G, Michigan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Sixers could opt for a more long-term project such as Dario Saric, but Stauskas’ shooting moved him up the ... more

<center><b>11. Denver -- Jusuf Nurkic, 6-11, C, Bosnia<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Nuggets would probably grab Stauskas if he slips just a bit, but Nurkic could go earlier than expected. He’d ... more

Photo: Panagiotis Moschandreou / EB via Getty Images

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<center><b>12. Orlando – Elfrid Payton, 6-4, G, Louisiana Lafayette<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>One of the most rapid risers through the process, Payton could even go several places higher. less

<center><b>12. Orlando – Elfrid Payton, 6-4, G, Louisiana Lafayette<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>One of the most rapid risers through the process, Payton could even go several places ... more

Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

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<center><b>13. Minnesota – Adreian Payne, 6-10, F, Michigan State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>It is often a mistake to forecast picks based on need, but Payne does make sense as Kevin Love’s eventual successor. less

<center><b>13. Minnesota – Adreian Payne, 6-10, F, Michigan State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>It is often a mistake to forecast picks based on need, but Payne does make sense as Kevin Love’s eventual ... more

Photo: Elsa / Getty Images

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<center><b>14. Phoenix – Gary Harris, 6-5, G, Michigan State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns will try to keep Eric Bledsoe, but Harris is too solid a choice to let slip much more. James Young is also a possibility. less

<center><b>14. Phoenix – Gary Harris, 6-5, G, Michigan State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns will try to keep Eric Bledsoe, but Harris is too solid a choice to let slip much more. James Young is ... more

Photo: Steve Dykes / Getty Images

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<center><b>15. Atlanta – James Young, 6-7, G, Kentucky<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Dario Saric’s slide after signing to remain in Europe could end here, but the Hawks are more likely to seek more immediate help that normally around for a playoff team midway through the first round. less

<center><b>15. Atlanta – James Young, 6-7, G, Kentucky<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Dario Saric’s slide after signing to remain in Europe could end here, but the Hawks are more likely to seek more ... more

Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

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<center><b>16. Chicago – Rodney Hood, 6-8, F, Duke<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Bulls have been among the teams open to moving picks, hoping to avoid to taking up too much cap room on first-rounders, but could be drawn to Hood’s scoring. less

<center><b>16. Chicago – Rodney Hood, 6-8, F, Duke<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Bulls have been among the teams open to moving picks, hoping to avoid to taking up too much cap room on first-rounders, ... more

Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images

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<center><b>17. Boston – Dario Saric, 6-10, F, Cibona Zagreb<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Celtics would not think twice about getting a bargain at this point in the draft, with no need to be impatient waiting for it to pay off. less

<center><b>17. Boston – Dario Saric, 6-10, F, Cibona Zagreb<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Celtics would not think twice about getting a bargain at this point in the draft, with no need to be impatient ... more

Photo: AFP / AFP/Getty Images

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<center><b>18. Phoenix – Zach LaVine, 6-6, G, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns are among the teams open to moving picks, especially if their choices begin to duplicate one another. They could opt for P.J. Hairston, but LaVine has intriguing tools. less

<center><b>18. Phoenix – Zach LaVine, 6-6, G, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns are among the teams open to moving picks, especially if their choices begin to duplicate one another. They could ... more

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images

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<center><b>19. Chicago – Tyler Ennis, 6-2, G, Syracuse<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>If the Bulls have not moved the pick or chosen a point guard sooner, they can add Ennis who could be ready relatively quickly to back up Derrick Rose. less

<center><b>19. Chicago – Tyler Ennis, 6-2, G, Syracuse<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>If the Bulls have not moved the pick or chosen a point guard sooner, they can add Ennis who could be ready relatively ... more

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

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<center><b>20. Toronto – Shabazz Napier, 6-1, Connecticut<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Raptors would love to grab Ennis, a Toronto native, if he slips just a bit as insurance if Kyle Lowry or Greivis Vasquez leave as free agents. Napier could go as high as 15 or slide as far as to 26. less

<center><b>20. Toronto – Shabazz Napier, 6-1, Connecticut<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Raptors would love to grab Ennis, a Toronto native, if he slips just a bit as insurance if Kyle Lowry or Greivis ... more

Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

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<center><b>21. Oklahoma City – Clint Capela, 6-11, F, Chalon<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Thunder would be happy to wait for Capela, and fits Sam Presti’s routine of selecting length and athleticism. less

<center><b>21. Oklahoma City – Clint Capela, 6-11, F, Chalon<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Thunder would be happy to wait for Capela, and fits Sam Presti’s routine of selecting length and ... more

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<center><b>22. Memphis – K.J. McDaniels, 6-6, F, Clemson<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>This is another pick that can be had in trades, but McDaniels could fit well with the Grizzlies’ style. less

<center><b>22. Memphis – K.J. McDaniels, 6-6, F, Clemson<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>This is another pick that can be had in trades, but McDaniels could fit well with the Grizzlies’ ... more

Photo: Tyler Smith / Getty Images

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<center><b>23. Utah -- T.J. Warren, 6-8, F, North Carolina State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Warren could go considerably earlier, but if he sticks around long enough, has a versatile offensive game that could get on the floor quickly for the Jazz. less

<center><b>23. Utah -- T.J. Warren, 6-8, F, North Carolina State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Warren could go considerably earlier, but if he sticks around long enough, has a versatile offensive game that ... more

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

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<center><b>24. Charlotte – P.J. Hairston, 6-5, G, Texas Legends<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Hornets can use the scoring, even if they pick up similar talent earlier in the draft. less

<center><b>24. Charlotte – P.J. Hairston, 6-5, G, Texas Legends<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Hornets can use the scoring, even if they pick up similar talent earlier in the ... more

Photo: Sergio Hentschel / NBAE/Getty Images

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<center><b>25. Houston -- Cleanthony Early, 6-7, F, Wichita State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Hairston could be a solid pick if he slips just enough and Kyle Anderson would get a long look. If the Rockets don’t move the pick, Early fits the team’s draft history as a productive, veteran, though undersized college player. less

<center><b>25. Houston -- Cleanthony Early, 6-7, F, Wichita State<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Hairston could be a solid pick if he slips just enough and Kyle Anderson would get a long look. If the Rockets ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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<center><b>26. Miami – Kyle Anderson, 6-8, F, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Heat could look for a point guard, and to move up if necessary to get one, but Anderson would be a solid value pick. less

<center><b>26. Miami – Kyle Anderson, 6-8, F, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Heat could look for a point guard, and to move up if necessary to get one, but Anderson would be a solid value ... more

Photo: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

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<center><b>27. Phoenix – Jerami Grant, 6-8, F, Syracuse<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns would rather not add three rookies, but if they get backcourt help with the earlier picks, Grant would be a solid frontcourt choice. less

<center><b>27. Phoenix – Jerami Grant, 6-8, F, Syracuse<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>The Suns would rather not add three rookies, but if they get backcourt help with the earlier picks, Grant would be a ... more

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<center><b>28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jordan Adams, 6-4, G, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Adams would be a strong shooter that could provide spacing for the stars of the local team. less

<center><b>28. Los Angeles Clippers – Jordan Adams, 6-4, G, UCLA<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Adams would be a strong shooter that could provide spacing for the stars of the local ... more

Photo: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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<center><b>29. Oklahoma City – Glenn Robinson, 6-7, F, Michigan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Robinson draws mixed reactions, but he is a shooter with good size, qualities the Thunder usually seek in the draft. less

<center><b>29. Oklahoma City – Glenn Robinson, 6-7, F, Michigan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>Robinson draws mixed reactions, but he is a shooter with good size, qualities the Thunder usually seek in the ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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<center><b>30. San Antonio – Bogdan Bogdanovic, 6-6, G, Partizan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>International player? Check. Good shooter with a more versatile game than his reputation. Check. Might stay overseas, check and sounds like a Spurs draft choice. less

<center><b>30. San Antonio – Bogdan Bogdanovic, 6-6, G, Partizan<h3></h3></center></b>
<center>International player? Check. Good shooter with a more versatile game than his reputation. Check. Might stay ... more